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Denver Native (Carol)
01-15-2009, 11:57 AM
Sorry if there is already a thread on this within Broncos Talk This lists NFL Free Agents by position:

http://www.footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html

SOCALORADO.
01-15-2009, 12:11 PM
DEN IMHO should go after these players.
FS OJ ATOGWE. If you dont know how good OJ is, then you dont watch football. Go online and just take a look at OJs incredible #s.
LB TERRELL SUGGS. although he missed practice yesterday due to a shoulder injury, stay tuned.....
DT SHAUN CODY. Will want out of DET (who wouldnt!?!?!) He is a NT that is playing out of position, and would get a new lease on his career, plus he will come cheap.
There. Every line on defense has been addressed. A playmaker at every level.
And of course still draft defense too!

broncofaninfla
01-15-2009, 12:35 PM
Good site, thanks!

Lonestar
01-15-2009, 12:54 PM
2009 NFL Free Agents
By: Greg Davis

Top Quarterbacks

Kurt Warner, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
The former MVP and Super Bowl winner has had a resurgent season in Arizona and has his team past the first round of the playoffs. He racked up 4,583 passing yards, his second highest career total for a season, and threw for 30 touchdowns and only 14 interceptions. Also, his passer rating of 96.9 was his best since the '01 season. Warner has not wanted his contract status to be a distraction, but he will be looking for an extension from the team once the season comes to an end. Warner could find another team willing to name him the starter if the Cardinals want to let Matt Leinart take over.

Kerry Collins, UFA, Tennessee Titans
Collins may have recently turned thirty-six, but he helped lead the Titans to the best record in the NFL at 13-3 when the Vince Young situation threatened to put a damper on the entire season. Instead, Collins stepped in and managed the offense well. He may not have looked like the quarterback he was when he led the New York Giants to a Super Bowl appearance early on this decade, but he did prove that he was capable of winning games and protecting the ball enough to allow his offense to run fairly smoothly. He may not have a lot left after this season and a potential Super Bowl run, but he may still be of interest to some teams looking for a steady game manager or an experienced backup for insurance purposes. The Titans may be looking to move forward with Vince Young, but Collins knows the system and could be offered a new contract to keep his services around.

Matt Cassel, UFA, New England Patriots
Rumor has it that Cassel will be franchised, thus ending his chance to hit the market.

Jeff Garcia, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Garcia could retire given that he is nearing forty years of age, but many probably expected that he would have hung up his cleats before the just completed season. The veteran just keeps going and going and has kept the Buccaneers competitive. Last season the veteran passer threw for over 2,400 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games. This season, in twelve games, he passed for over 2,700 yards and had 12 touchdowns tosses to just six interceptions. He can still manage a game and make things happen often enough to keep defenses honest. He may be asked to stick around somewhere in the league for another season.

Rex Grossman, UFA, Chicago Bears
With all of the criticism that Grossman has had to face, he did lead a Bears team that reached a Super Bowl in ’06. During that season he threw for over 3,100 yards and 23 touchdowns; however, he also turned the ball over 25 times. Grossman lost his starting role to Kyle Orton this season and threw just 62 passes, completing only 32 and having a pair of touchdowns and picks. Grossman may wind up being a career backup.

Kyle Boller, UFA, Baltimore Ravens
Boller has never lived up to the hype that came with him and he was placed on the injured reserve this season. In five seasons of earning sporadic playing time, Boller has thrown more touchdowns than picks just twice. The presence and early success of Joe Flacco guarantee that Boller will be gone after the season, and it is hard to imagine that he’ll be given a shot at starting anywhere. Like Grossman, he seems destined to be a career backup.

Other Quarterbacks
Charlie Batch, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
J.P. Losman, UFA, Buffalo Bills
Patrick Ramsey, UFA, Denver Broncos


2009 NFL Free Agent Running Backs
By: Greg Davis
Brandon Jacobs, UFA, New York Giants
Jacobs is a tough runner, and that type of running kept him from being on the field in parts of the two seasons prior to 2008. This season, Jacobs missed time again, seeing action in thirteen games. When on the field, he helped lead the Giants to the league’s second best record. While carries were limited at times, he rushed for 1,089 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. He averaged five yards a carry during the Giants Super Bowl season, gaining over 1,000 yards in just 11 games and averaged five yards a carry again this season. He is a quality goal line back, but has become more than that. Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw contributed to New York’s backfield as well, so while the team likely wants Jacobs to stick around, Jacobs could have other plans and may bolt for a team willing to give him more of the carries. There will be some tough decisions concerning the Giants backfield and who will play what role in the future.

Darren Sproles, UFA, San Diego Chargers
Sproles is a spark plug of a runner, who doesn’t shy away from contact and has excellent speed. During the regular season, he did most of his work on special teams but did average more than five yards a carry when he was handed the ball. His recent playoff effort against Indianapolis during the first round was one of the best in playoff history, as he showed that he just might have the stuff to become a number one back. His 105 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards, and pair of scores had to impress teams out there looking for backfield help. San Diego will likely have to cut ties if they are moving forward with Tomlinson and don’t want to spend too much money in keeping a second quality back.

Derrick Ward, RFA, New York Giants
A huge rushing effort by Ward in week sixteen set him up to reach the 1,000 yard mark in the final game of the season, impressively giving the Giants two running backs to reach that mark this season. Ward made a statement in against Carolina in that week sixteen game, rushing for an astounding 215 yards on only 15 carries. He only reached triple digits in rushing twice, but he wound up averaging well over five yards per carry on the season while also playing a role as a receiving back with 41 receptions for nearly 400 more yards. Ward is twenty-eight years of age, and considering the thought that running backs lose steam after thirty, this could be his last significant contract. He may look for a team willing to expand his role or he could easily stay in New York, where he has become a quality back alongside Brandon Jacobs. With Jacobs also being a free agent, though, it will be an interesting offseason for the G-Men.

Dominic Rhodes, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Rhodes will turn thirty in a couple of weeks and it appears he will remain a backup for the remainder of his career. He was an integral part of the Colts’ success during their Super Bowl run a few seasons ago, but he left for Oakland, only to return a season later. He has received limited carries during most of his time in the league, but he has filled in admirably when called upon. With Joseph Addai missing time this season, he carried the ball 152 times and turned it into 538 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 45 passes for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns. Rhodes will provide a decent third-down back and a veteran backup for any team looking to add depth on the free agent market.

Maurice Morris, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Morris has always been a back under the radar—mainly because he was backing up Shaun Alexander for a period—but he has good vision and speed. He cracked the 100-yard mark in week twelve for the first time since week ten of the ’06 season and rushed for a season-high 116 yards against the Jets in week sixteen. He received limited carries, averaging 4.3 yards per rush, and he may be a useful backup come next season. Seattle has a lot of questions to answer and Morris may not be in the plans for the future.

Ricky Williams, UFA, Miami Dolphins
Williams showed flashes of the back that he was in his early days, but he was never quite as consistent as would be expected from a former fifth overall selection. His time away from the game and off the field issues certainly didn’t help him get back into the swing off things. Williams is over thirty and not likely to be a true starter with any team, but he gets a mention because of his controversial past and the fact that he gave Miami an extra option on the way to a playoff berth. There is a team out there that will take a chance on him if the Dolphins are unwilling to retain his services. Look for Williams to try and land somewhere as a backup.

Other Running Backs
J.J. Arrington, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Correll Buckhalter, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Jesse Chatman, UFA, New York Jets
Heath Evans, UFA, New England Patriots
Rudi Johnson, UFA, Detroit Lions
LaMont Jordan, UFA, New England Patriots
Ryan Moats, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Dominic Rhodes, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Aaron Stecker, UFA, New Orleans Saints
Derrick Ward, UFA, New York Giants

Lonestar
01-15-2009, 12:55 PM
2009 NFL Free Agent Receivers
By: Greg Davis
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
A Pro Bowl player, Houshmandzadeh is one of the league’s top receivers and arguably the best number two receiver in the entire league. A seventh round selection, Houshmandzadeh now has more than 5,700 career receiving yards. Heading into the ‘08, he had increased his reception and touchdowns totals in each of his six seasons and was coming off of a league-leading 112 receptions with 12 touchdowns. He had a down season by his standards in ’08, however, yet still managed to gain over 900 receiving yards on 92 catches in fifteen games. He posted those numbers while being thrown to by backup Ryan Fitzpatrick much of the season, making it considerably more impressive. Losing Houshmandzadeh would be a major setback for Cincinnati. Look for the Bengals to make every effort to retain and possibly promote him.

Bobby Engram, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Engram likely won’t be the most desired receiver on the market this offseason, but he will provide a veteran option for team’s looking to add experience with their youth and others. Engram has an injury history that has caused him to miss a fair amount of time, but he’s been a solid receiver when healthy. His 2007 campaign was the best of his career. His 94 receptions helped him rack up 1,147 yards and six touchdowns without a strong running game supporting the offense. Playing for a struggling Seattle team this season, he played in thirteen games and caught 50 passes for nearly 500 yards, but failed to reach the endzone. With his history of injury and a struggling offensive unit not helping his numbers, he’ll likely wind up back in Seattle with his career closer to the end than the beginning.

Devery Henderson, UFA, New Orleans Saints
Henderson’s career high in receptions may be 32, but he’s a deep threat and can make big plays down the field when things are clicking for the offensive unit. He’s had at least three scores in each season of his four-year career and set a new career-high in yards with 793, averaging almost 25 yards per catch. If the Saints let Henderson go, someone may give him a shot at a bigger role.

Shaun McDonald, UFA, Detroit Lions
McDonald has had to play behind the likes of Torry Holt, Roy Williams, and Calvin Johnson during his six seasons. He hasn’t been spectacular, but he has shown that he can be a quality receiver. He had a career-high with 79 receptions in ’07 with the Lions and converted six of those into touchdowns. His numbers dropped this season as the entire team struggled and he played in just twelve games, but considering his situation, 35 catches for 332 yards isn’t a terrible showing. Assuming he returns from injury without a problem, McDonald has the ability to be a solid number two, and chances are he’ll look to play for a more competitive team.

Other Wide Receivers
Hank Baskett, RFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Jabar Gaffney, UFA, New England Patriots
Dante' Hall, UFA, St. Louis Rams
Sam Hurd, UFA, Dallas Cowboys
Brandon Jones, UFA, Tennessee Titans
Ashley Lelie, UFA, San Francisco 49ers
Koren Robinson, UFA, Green Bay Packers
Amani Toomer, UFA, New York Giants
Roydell Williams, UFA, Tennessee Titans
Cedrick Wilson, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers


Other Tight Ends
Owen Daniels, UFA, Houston Texans
Will Heller, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Eric Johnson, UFA, New Orleans Saints
Jeff King, RFA, Carolina Panthers
Jim Kleinsasser, UFA, Minnesota Vikings
Leonard Pope, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Daniel Wilcox, UFA, Baltimore Ravens
L.J. Smith, UFA, Philadelphia
Bo Scaife, UFA, Tennessee


2009 NFL Free Agent Offensive Linemen
By: Greg Davis
Matt Birk, UFA, Minnesota Vikings
Birk is a Pro Bowl center that has gotten the job done for the Vikings for the last decade. He’s fairly athletic for a lineman and was playing alongside another great lineman in guard Steve Hutchinson, making Birk’s life even easier on the field the past couple of seasons. He’s grounded in Minnesota, so the chances of him choosing to leave seem slim at the moment. However, Minnesota is grooming John Sullivan in hopes that he will eventually replace Birk.

Mike Goff, UFA, San Diego Chargers
While the Chargers would probably prefer to keep Goff, the franchise has been effective in drafting and developing linemen and might look for Goff’s replacement at a better price. Goff has been a leader who simply goes about his business and players like running back Ladainian Tomlinson have benefited from his level of play. Goff has played for a quality line for some time and he’s a big part of the equation when it comes to success.

Jordan Gross, UFA, Carolina Panthers
A first round pick in 2003, Gross earned a starting role in his rookie season and held that role as a tackle for the entire season. His ability to step in and play well right away paid off for the Panthers, as the team put together a run to an NFC Championship that season. He’s continued being a starter since that rookie season and is a solid player. Carolina slapped the franchise tag on him for this season, and chances are he will be another team come ’09.

Mark Tauscher, UFA, Green Bay Packers
Tauscher is a seventh round pick that became a success story. In his first season in the NFL, he was forced into a starting role because of an injury to another player. Tauscher isn’t an elite player, but he is solid in his role as a starter and hadn’t missed a game since 2002 until this season. Tauscher could be at the top of many team’s lists because he could come cheaper than some of the other free agent lineman, but could be nearly or equally effective.

Marvel Smith, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
Smith may not be the most sought after offensive lineman during free agency, but he could be a bargain for a team willing to chance his health concerns by offering him a contract. He is a Pro-Bowl player with a Super Bowl ring, but back injuries have forced him to miss time this season and to be placed on injured reserve, thus impacting his potential value on the market. When healthy, Smith is one of the league’s best and Pittsburgh will attempt to keep him around because of the quality of player he has shown he can be.

Jahri Evans, RFA, New Orleans Saints
Since starting every game at the guard position in his rookie season, Evans has proven to be a quality lineman. He was drafted in the fourth round, but is in for a decent-sized contract this offseason. Any team in the market for a guard is going to consider Evans and the fact that he has helped protect for quarterback Drew Brees and an offense that has had plenty of time to operate and rack up yards. The Saints will look to keep Evans around, but there is bound to be a team willing to tempt him with a fair amount of money.

Jason Brown, RFA, Baltimore Ravens
A fourth round selection in ’05 for the Ravens, Brown played in all sixteen games in ’06, starting in twelve of those appearances, and has started each game during the past two seasons. He is a quick guard who can also play center in a pinch. Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco benefited from the protection he was afforded by the likes of Brown. Baltimore’s offense is asked to complement one of the league’s best defensive units and Brown’s stability on the line has been critical. Whichever team winds up signing Brown will be adding security at a guard spot.

Jeff Saturday, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Saturday entered the league with little fanfare as an undrafted free agent. Now, he has become one of the league’s best centers and will command a decent contract for his experience and performance. Having already earned three Pro Bowl and All Pro selections and a Super Bowl ring, Saturday is crucial to the Colts offensive line and winning ways. While a handful of teams could make a run at Saturday, expect the Colts to do everything in their power to retain the veteran center.

Other Offensive Lineman
Stacy Andrews, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
Khalif Barnes, UFA, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jordan Black, UFA, Houston Texans
Vernon Carey, UFA, Miami Dolphins
George Foster, UFA, Detroit Lions
Chris Gray, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Pete Kendall, UFA, Washington Redskins
Seth McKinney, UFA, Cleveland Browns
Jon Runyan, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Tra Thomas, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Fred Weary, UFA, Houston Texans
John Welbourn, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs

Lonestar
01-15-2009, 12:56 PM
2009 NFL Free Agent Defensive Linemen
By: Greg Davis
Julius Peppers, UFA, Carolina Panthers
A freakish athlete, Peppers struggled in ’07, but has come back strong in ’08. Teams will be lining up to try and lure him away from Carolina with a huge contract offer. The 6’7” end had 14.5 sacks and five forced fumbles on the season, helping the Panthers earn a first-round bye in the playoffs. He could be the top free agent player as teams look to add an end that has had double-digit sack totals five times in seven seasons, including 13 in ’06 and his career-high total this year. He also has four career interceptions and has been making quarterback’s lives miserable since he entered the league. Peppers probably shouldn’t be able to do some of the things that he can considering his size, and many teams would prefer to have those things happening for them rather than against them.

Albert Haynesworth, UFA, Tennessee Titans
Haynesworth has had his share of controversy surrounding him in the past, but he’s turned things around and has focused on simply playing the game. This year, he improved upon his ’07 season by totaling 8.5 sacks, making 51 total tackles, and forcing three fumbles. The Titans look like a different team on defense depending on whether or not Haynesworth is on the field; with him on the field they are one of the best defenses in the league because of the pressure he takes off of others. Expect Tennessee to work hard to keep him in hopes that he continues to bolster their defensive play as a whole.

Bertrand Berry, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Berry finished the regular season with five sacks and a pair of forced fumbles for the Cardinals in fourteen games of action. He may not be the most coveted potential free agent at his position, but he’s definitely effective when he’s healthy and playing his best. He’ll be looked at as a role player on the market and there’s a decent chance that the Cardinals will move on.

Jovan Haye, RFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Haye now has three seasons of experience in the league, but he had a down season this year after a strong ’07 campaign. He made 33 tackles and had no sacks, as he battled injuries at times this season and never showed the same rhythm that he did when he made 68 tackles and had six sacks last season. Haye will still be of interest to a good deal of teams based on the fact that he has shown in the past that he can regularly apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks. His age (26) and down season will make it more likely that the Buccaneers re-sign the defensive tackle.

Rocky Bernard, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Bernard had an off the field incident prior to the ’08 season, but returned from a one-game suspension to have another quality season while playing for a struggling team Seattle team. He has had as many as eight and a half sacks in a season and closed this season with four sacks. He also had a career high of 55 tackles this year and forced a fumble. All in all, Bernard may not be at the top of a lot of free agent wish lists, but if the Seahawks don’t keep him around, some team will be getting a reliable defensive tackle.

Other Defensive Linemen
Jonathan Babineaux, UFA, Atlanta Falcons
Rocky Bernard, Seattle Seahawks
Kevin Carter, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Canty, UFA, Dallas Cowboys
Shaun Cody, UFA, Detroit Lions
Jovan Haye, UFA, Tampa Bay Bucs
Tank Johnson, UFA, Dallas Cowboys
John Thornton, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
Marcus Tubbs, UFA, Seattle Seahawks

2009 NFL Free Agent Linebackers
By: Greg Davis

Ray Lewis, UFA, Baltimore Ravens
With over 1,600 tackles, 33.5 sacks, and 28 interceptions during his 13 seasons, Lewis isn’t just a Pro Bowl player and Super Bowl winner, but also a future Hall of Fame inductee. Since entering the league, Lewis has been a force and helped the Ravens to be one of the league’s best defensive units year in and year out. He’s been in Baltimore his entire career so it’s hard to imagine him with another franchise; he’s the face of the franchise. The Ravens will make him an offer that should lock him up until almost the end of his career and rumor has it that he is close to signing an extension.

Terrell Suggs, UFA, Baltimore Ravens
Being a linebacker that also works at defensive end has helped Suggs become an end that can track the ball above average. In his first six NFL seasons, Suggs has made 368 total tackles and earned 53 sacks. Suggs may not be as rewarded as Peppers or Haynesworth will be in free agency, but he will certainly be pursued by a number of teams who want to save a little money and still come away with a quality defensive end. Baltimore is constantly pumping out quality defensive players, so they may not be willing to match a big offer if one comes along, but they will miss Suggs if they lose him.

Karlos Dansby, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Dansby is becoming a consistent linebacker in the NFL. In his last four full seasons, he has tackle totals of 89, 82, 99, and 119 this season. He has also tallied at least three sacks in each of his five seasons as a pro. His three interceptions last season tied a career high and he added two more this season. In ’08, he was an important part of a defense that helped the Cardinals advance in the playoffs. He isn’t in the same class as some of the linebackers on this list, but he may eventually be pretty close. Dansby will appeal to several teams because of his age, size, and potential.

Eric Barton, UFA, New York Jets
While Barton’s ’07 production was down, he was playing for a defense that didn’t get much help from the offensive unit. Brett Favre’s arrival improved the offense somewhat, which helped alleviate pressure on the defense. Barton made 100 tackles and 4.5 sacks in ’06, probably his best season since he left Oakland, and he had a similar effort with 119 tackles and 1.5 sacks this season. There are a fair amount of teams that could look to acquire Barton and save some money.

Mike Peterson, UFA, Jacksonville Jaguars
Peterson had played in just 15 games over the course of the last two seasons, but he played in all but one game this season. When healthy, he is one of the better middle linebackers around. He has six seasons in triple-digit tackles and the four seasons he failed to reach that mark were seasons in which he was unable to play in all sixteen games. In ’05, his most recent full season, he had six sacks and three interceptions. His health concerns will scare some teams away, but Peterson may still have some quality seasons left in him. He had a single sack this season, along with 84 tackles, and is on the downturn of his career.

Bart Scott, UFA, Baltimore Ravens
Even though Scott was originally an undrafted free agent, he has managed to become a quality linebacker. While he has benefited from playing alongside Pro Bowlers like Ray Lewis, he has also helped them benefit from his own contributions. He had just one sack last season as the Ravens defense struggled more than usual, and only 1.5 this season, but he showed in ’06 that he is capable of over 100 tackles and 9.5 sacks when he puts it all together. The Ravens will probably pay Scott enough to keep him around, but they may let him go if they are unimpressed with his play this year and are content pursuing Lewis and Suggs.

Jonathan Vilma, UFA, New Orleans Saints
Vilma returned from a serious injury and made a good impression with the Saints in New Orleans. He tallied 132 tackles, had an interception, a sack, and forced two fumbles. Prior to his shortened ’07 season, Vilma had registered 108 tackles or more in three straight seasons, including 173 in ’05; he also now has seven interceptions in his five seasons of work. Vilma is quick to the ball and consistently makes the right play. At 26 years of age, he will be a point of interest for several teams when he hits the market.

Michael Boley, RFA, Atlanta Falcons
Boley became a starter as a rookie because of injury and has held onto the role ever since. He was held without a sack this season, but had totaled three in each of the previous two seasons and has a five combined interceptions during his last three seasons. In ’07, he was credited with 110 total tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles, and two picks, making for a very strong showing. Boley isn’t known as a star player, but he is a hard worker and a solid presence at the strong side position. At just twenty-six years of age, Boley has room to develop and could make a splash with a new team come next season.

Linebacker:
Jordan Beck, UFA, Denver Broncos
Monty Beisel, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Angelo Crowell, UFA, Buffalo Bills
Channing Crowder, UFA, Miami Dolphins
James Farrior, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tyjuan Hagler, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Leroy Hill, UFA, Seattle Sehawks
Willie McGinest, UFA, Cleveland Browns
Carlos Polk, UFA, San Diego Chargers
Sam Williams, UFA, Oakland Raiders

Lonestar
01-15-2009, 12:57 PM
2009 NFL Free Agent Defensive Backs
By: Greg Davis

Nnamdi Asomugha, UFA, Oakland Raiders
Asomugha’s numbers don’t overwhelm other than his eight interceptions in ’06, but the big reason that he has only 257 career tackles and 10 interceptions in his six seasons is because opponents attack the side of the field that Asomugha isn’t on. He has 49 passes defended over his last four seasons and he’s one of the NFL’s best in coverage. He’s held some of the game’s best receivers in check in single coverage and if he becomes a free agent, he may command the most attention of the lot. He also missed only four games in his career. With the release of DeAngelo Hall earlier this season, Oakland may now look to pay Asomugha, considering how talented he is.

Mike Brown, UFA, Chicago Bears
When healthy, Brown has proven to be a valuable part of the Bears defense. Brown’s best season was in 2001, when he had five interceptions and three sacks, but he has always been a steady contributor when he has been in the lineup. In four seasons, from ’04 through ’07, he played in just 21 games. In ’08, he played in 15 games, making 74 tackles and two interceptions. Teams will still be concerned about his health history, so Chicago appears to be the right fit for him. However, there are teams willing to take a risk in the NFL, and Brown has been healthy so far this season.

Brian Dawkins, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Dawkins has been one of the best safeties in the league for some time now. He’s in his mid-thirties, but he will still be of interest to several teams because of his track record. He has had at least one interception in each of his thirteen seasons. As recently as two seasons ago, he had five forced fumbles, four picks, and 98 tackles. While he may not be quite the same player he once was, he’s still one of the games best. He’s played in Philadelphia his entire career and chances are it’ll stay that way.

Dawan Landry, RFA, Baltimore Ravens
It is difficult to imagine that the Ravens would let Landry get away considering he is young and showed major potential during his first two seasons in the NFL. Landry, a safety, made a significant impact in his first year when he made 69 tackles and had five interceptions as well as three sacks. While his sacks and interceptions dropped in year two, he tallied 83 tackles, still making plays on the ball but just not coming up with turnovers. He was placed on injured reserve for this season after playing in just two games this year. Landry is athletic and finds the ball well. It’s a safe bet that Baltimore wants to keep him around through his prime.

Dunta Robinson, UFA, Houston Texans
Robinson missed nearly half the season last year, but before he was injured he was being mentioned alongside the top corners in the league, even though he played for a struggling Texans team. He also missed the first five games of this season, but played in the final eleven, making 38 tackles and two picks. He made a name for himself in his rookie season when he had six interceptions, three sacks, and 88 tackles. Any team would like to have his services in their defensive backfield if he can stay healthy, and if Houston doesn’t start winning, Robinson could look for a change of scenery with a more successful franchise.

Jermaine Phillips, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Phillips has been around for seven seasons now and has made a name for himself as a capable safety. He has eleven career interceptions, including four in ’07 and three this season. The safety made a career-high 109 total tackles in ’06 and has the ability to create turnovers from time to time with seven forced fumbles in the past three seasons. Phillips will provide a team with a quality run-support type safety that can provide adequate help in coverage. He missed five games due to injury this year, which could hurt his contract offers. Tampa Bay will likely make a reasonable offer to try to keep Phillips with the team.

Other Defensive Backs
Oshiomogho Atogwe, UFA, St Louis Rams
Tyron Brackenridge, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs
Mike Brown, UFA, Chicago Bears
Phillip Buchanon, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jabari Greer, UFA, Buffalo Bills
Rodney Harrison, UFA, New England Patriots
Kelvin Hayden, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Renaldo Hill, UFA, Miami Dolphins
Daven Holly, UFA, Cleveland Browns
Sean Jones, UFA, Cleveland Browns
Bryant McFadden, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
R.W. McQuarters, UFA, New York Giants
Justin Miller, UFA, New York Jets
Lawyer Milloy, UFA, Atlanta Falcons
Deltha O'Neal, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
Jarrad Page, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs
Jermaine Phillips, UFA, Tampa Bay Bucs
Allen Rossum, UFA, San Francisco 49ers
Darren Sharper, UFA, Darren Sharper


2009 NFL Free Agent Kickers and Punters
By: Greg Davis
Mike Nugent, UFA, New York Jets
Nugent has been somewhat consistent from distance in his short career, but an injury forced the Jets to go with Jay Feely early in the season and the team was content to let Feely continue to handle the kicking duties. As for Nugent, from over 40 yards, he had converted 13 of 19 from over 40 yards during the ’06 and ’07 seasons and three of seven on kicks over 50 yards. He isn’t an elite kicker, but his age and development will find a team willing to give a decent look.

Shane Lechler, UFA, Oakland Raiders

A Pro Bowl punter, Lechler has a booming leg and has been important to the Raiders special teams’ play for more nine seasons. He averaged 42.5 yards per punt in his worst season, but otherwise has never averaged less than 45.7 per kick. His 49.1 yards per punt average during ’07 was quite impressive and he averaged 48.8 yards per punt this season, finishing with the second highest average in the NFL. He isn’t a great short situation punter, but he will help a team win field position battles regularly. The Raiders will want Lechler back after this season.

Dortoh
01-15-2009, 01:07 PM
Brandon Jacobs
Albert Haynesworth
Jeff Saturday
Shaun Cody
Terrell Suggs
Nnamdi Asomugha
Dawan Landry
Jermaine Phillips

I know I'm dreaming here but these are the ones that I would take a good long look at.

Rick
01-15-2009, 01:26 PM
If going 3-4

I would try and nab Dansby or Suggs depending on which is cheaper.

Though I like the big LBer out of Ohio I would rather sign Vilma and draft in first a big NT.

Sign Landry.

Nab a RB in the 2nd.

Draft other various defenseive spots in the draft.

Then we have:

NT(big rookie)
Ends(Thomas, Robertson)

Out side LBers(Dansby or suggs, Doom/Moss)

Inside Lbers(Vilma, DJ)

CB(Champ, Bly)

Safety(Landry,Barret/Woodyard)

That with a DC with a real sceme will not get us a number 1 defence but it would be a huge improvement and a step in the right direction. Fix various issues such as Robertson and Bly next year as well as if Doom/Moss don't work out in the draft.

Can't fix everything in one year.

Just my arm chair coach 2 cents.

Denver Native (Carol)
01-15-2009, 01:27 PM
I feel backup QB should be one of the top priorities, and I think it would be best addressed thru FA - thoughts?